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Power Play 8-16-2012

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    Romney-Ryan seek to shore up economic pitch with debt assault, Biden backfire, who has the Medicare advantage?

  • Duration 24:46
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Spending money we don't have.

President Obama.

Has given us more years -- trillion dollar plus deficits.

He is making matters worse and he is spending our children into a diminished future.

That was newly minted.

Running mate to Republican soon to be nominee Mitt Romney Paul -- Congressman from Wisconsin chairman of the House Budget Committee I kept hearing in -- President Obama as he campaigned is right campaign in Nevada.

And sharpening and attack.

On the president on spending.

And this is power play and I -- Chris -- -- and guess what.

Republicans are preparing an assault they've already begun -- but they are preparing an assault.

On President Obama for big spending.

The economy is certainly the driving issue here -- the Republicans Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan feel that federal spending.

Can be the key to convincing voters that President Obama not only is -- up to the task as it relates to fixing the economy but that what he's doing is actually endangering the future.

Can it work and they make that stick and they broaden their argument can Ryan help Mitt Romney do that.

We will explore those questions we will talk about that today we'll talk about batch of new swing state polls.

We will talk about Medicare who.

Who does that work for does that work better for Democrats or Republicans or some question now to the conventional wisdom on that and we'll also of course.

Because it is our obligation Internet talk about vice president Joseph Biden.

Who is having probably is slightly -- lunch today you're starting the noon hour with President Obama as they have to talk about some stuff.

That the vice president said what he was campaigning in Virginia.

And you know I am very happy.

Men with all of that to do with all of that important work to do that we can welcome Susan -- to the show -- chief congressional correspondent for the Washington examiner my friend and former colleague.

And also just back from came to doubt watching Paul Ryan campaign welcome back on the -- front of us.

Thanks great -- okay so.

Let's put this in context real quick I -- whiz through.

A few.

Up holes here.

Let's start in Colorado this is purple strategies is a bipartisan consulting group polls polling -- -- they've pretty good track record so let's go through here's Colorado.

Obama up 4946 on Romney.

Slight tightening there let's look at Virginia must win Virginia for Romney -- no way to the presidency without Virginia for -- and there he now has a lead 4845 of the president down to Florida.

You know -- Florida always matters a great deal because it's Florida.

And there Romney holds a statistically insignificant but probably emotionally significant one point lead over the president with 5% undecided and then Ohio which turns out kind of important elections to.

There Romney holds is still statistically insignificant but two point lead.

Over President Obama.

Susan I was in your hometown of Boston yesterday hanging out with -- -- people trying to get -- -- -- what they're thinking about.

And -- when this pull him out they were pretty happy.

Well Elizabeth Rasmus has got Wisconsin I -- run -- well today it's it definitely looks much better.

I think last week there -- lot of numbers that showed Obama ahead by the on the margin earned him or scratching your hands and -- and -- Ryan roll out was you know people wondering whether this is gonna -- -- some kind of boost.

Now in the end is -- vice presidential pick matter you know the experts say and don't care isn't and the voters I talk to -- campaign telling Sarah Palin didn't matter well -- depending -- it depends now.

Let's say today at lunch president diet that shows a tour -- -- -- celebrate his next on the roster today to write his running mate.

Will that change dynamic of the race yes yes yes but will see if it stays by not buying.

This is Ryan Ryan Romney would make an up the difference possibly because this thing is so close.

It was constant which is usually -- Paul Ryan is a hometown -- people out there and in many places so if he can help push that -- and and -- -- swing states Ohio is an appeal to the middle class Catholic voter.

This can make all the difference in the world in really tight election.

I guess our resident power flag about this spending assault you can have that simply for the cost of the Twitter follow that's just Etsy starlets -- he's definitely with the guardian do it's a bargain it's and it's worth every -- about -- -- today.

For the power play that I ready -- morning but.

They're talking about.

When you talk to the Romney people they feel like.

The economic argument is a tough one to close because people do except a lot of swing voters do accept Obama's premise.

That he did inherit a mess and that the situation was so difficult and they remember why they voted for Obama in 2008 -- it was because their 401K.

Was basically set on fire and dropped into a well.

And they were not happy about that they remember how bad it was in the president's been successful in that way so they're trying to nudge it one step further and and picking -- certainly cements this.

To say it's not just about the economy it's about the amount of money that you're spending to try to fix the economy to no good result.

And a lot of the ads are seeing right now really echoed that -- they're clearly using that strategy and effort to try to show that Obama spent.

You know hundreds of billions of dollars on stimulus spending.

Online and trying to bail out the real estate market and there's been no real recovery it's the worst recovery effort really since -- to.

And so that's what they're trying to sell -- you he he's in and I guess that somebody's now you probably see them -- while he gets his second term.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- And then you have on the campaign trail you have -- -- -- Ryan making this argument again and again and again very powerfully.

We offer you a different solution right we're not gonna spend as much right after we're after the raise your taxes were gonna cut spending -- -- -- economy and get everybody working again and announce an Hispanic country -- you know -- your children's futures away.

I think than -- actually suggest that there there is reason for this optimism that the about running people express.

Even as they get -- we'll talk more about -- -- get torched.

On Medicare in Florida.

But is the one thing that would suggest that in this purple strategies points a six point increase among independents.

For -- and what's significant about the independents as we know we talk about this all the time you understand this because you're obviously into insider political stuff -- you wouldn't be watching us.

And the truth is that.

Independents aren't torn ideologically when we talk about independents were not talking about moderates that's not the same thing that's independence this -- the hallmark of the independent is.

They believe that the status quo is broken right.

They think that big way things are is not good neither party has the solution may be their political views are -- hodgepodge of left and right whenever.

But independents are people who rejected the political status quo in embracing -- at least what Romney saying it's.

-- risky I'm doing this but we have to send a message that we understand the urgency in the anxiety that people fear.

That's actually ran an independent voters are the ones -- apparently and decide this play action.

Let's look at you look at that the Democrats know who they -- if you look at the climate of violence and they want is this big and growing number of the very voters you're talking about right now.

Who can make all the difference in -- swing states they are going to decide this election and that's why so critical when Ryan gets out there and talks about these things.

That they can have that kind of appeal to independent voters who follows the same thing you know they're trying to go after the same group of people -- this -- similar tactics.

We need -- like time fixing economy was not following -- a bad situation.

And we need former years to get things in the right there and -- if you if you 2000 not -- problem is we're not gonna take away you know your stuff here contraception -- not gonna take away your you know.

Your benefits your Medicare your Social Security get a things you -- -- on that they're particularly I just both sides are because like I said it's so close that that's listened to choose you movement.

Perception out of this.

That this is a famous family and Internet -- And so this let's look at that Twitter political index on Ryan and Biden now Susan we've -- talk about this every day here and usually we look at the president and the vote Mitt Romney but here let's look at Biden and Ryan you see.

Biden down seven and Ryan down six still pretty close -- giving back -- obviously -- significant of course about this and we explain this each and every time.

Is that with the political Twitter index by the Twitter political index measures is positive sentiment across the spectrum of a Twitter how -- people feel.

And here's something to ask and -- we've been talking -- this a lot.

Ryan being younger is it may be a detriment with some voters especially talk about Medicare for older voters like does this clippers never know what he's talking -- but on the other hand Twitter does reflect a lot about what younger voters who think and trying to be holding his own here's -- and.

-- Ryan will appeal to young voters think and he and I think she actually does not scientifically -- Jason that he may actually -- -- a lot of people who abandon Obama for Ron Paul now I tried.

But I -- today.

Shot coming out.

Thanks coming -- But there are a lot of people who just didn't like Obama and they -- -- Obama put out that's sort ambiguous message about how all the hope and change it and that -- to a lot of young people in 2008 and of course that's not something a lot different people's minds when he became president.

So where they go from there they become you know being kicked the GOP -- they went to Ron Paul offers because.

You know that that message delivered in an appeal so -- well Ron Paul Ryan can pick up a lot of those voters people believe social liberals fiscal concerns is he's he's there he's young and energetic -- talk about the future and staving off deficit for -- -- the very things that that Ron Paul -- talking about.

Can't and he adds that he and he has that Eddie Munster -- -- -- Everybody likes so much is and we thank you very much we like -- you -- so much we appreciate you lifeless OK we're gonna get the last word on this two via cell senior and working -- my -- today because computers being disagreeable.

-- SL's senior says why.

-- we need to stop spending money we don't have there's an idea nobody is thought of before Q.

Sad -- -- as OK we're gonna take a quick break but when we come back congresswoman Marsha Blackburn from the great state of Tennessee will be with us as -- Republican were going to ask her about whether the attacks on -- not just his budget but his record in congress we now see Democrats poring over his votes specific instances on social issues and other -- seven terms in congress he could have a lot of -- out there -- -- congresswoman Blackburn what's gonna happen with that so stick around.

I am sometimes criticize him.

For saying exactly what I mean.

-- and it is not gonna change.

That was vice president Joseph Biden making no apologies.

In Virginia yesterday as he.

I went to Blacksburg.

Later in the day after he had -- down in -- -- Said that Republicans wanted to put you all back in chains to an audience that was largely constituted an African Americans.

And this is power play and here's the deal.

If you think if you thought.

That because of all right selection that high minded discourse.

Was just around the corner for the presidential campaign now so this is going to be intensely negative and more so going forward.

And also on the democratic side from the president the vice president we're hearing increasingly tough rhetoric.

Whether it is about root -- She tackling human beings or -- Mitt Romney's dog rode in 1983 or any number of issues so as.

Politics becomes personal.

Part of that relates to your record.

How did you vote.

That's a policy slash personal message that combines the two Paul -- been in congress for seven terms that's a long time and that's a lot of votes -- Democrats are already offering up some of congressman Ryan's votes of social issues fiscal issues that bail out.

All sorts of stuff.

So how's that gonna play and can he withstand the pressure.

Somebody who has worked with and knows well congressman -- -- congressman -- Blackburn from the great state of Tennessee congresswoman welcome back to the big -- I thank you good to be -- here.

And she may be reading it right now but I cannot hear it word that she says.

That is very and yes act and also because -- -- can't even tell you what you're chatting about I can't tell you this.

That in a career as long as Paul Ryan's and you look at seven -- you look at fourteen years -- congress relatively young guy.

Think about all he's been through think -- -- he's dealing with -- you're talking about.

The Iraq War you're talking about the -- the do.

The program that funded bank bailouts in the auto bailouts.

You those were things that he voted for.

He voted for a lot of the Bush Administration policies that are controversy with conservatives and liberals but he's also.

And votes on social issues that Democrats say would be responsible for.

Depriving women of contraception.

And Democrats can't quite decide we've heard from Chris van Holland.

The leading Democrat on the Budget Committee an attack focused mostly on what they say we read about this in the Washington Post today Greg Sargent.

An attack based mostly on the concept.

That Bryant wants -- -- good things and that for the president's health care law and other items.

What we may be able to hear congresswoman Blackburn now congresswoman -- -- -- I am I am here and enjoying what.

She's yeah she's not there she wants to be there.

She wants to be there for me I know.

But still -- What we can do however is finish this thought and the thought is Democrats can't decide which way they really wanna go after Paul -- as they say it's an embarrassment of -- they think that they can deal with him on budget issues -- social issues on all kinds of things to turn him into sort of a villainous -- a sidekick for Mitt Romney Republicans on the other -- say this.

Ryan has when it stacks up a more moderate voting record.

Van Democrats would like to portray so that battles and go back and forth and you'll see.

Something that you saw certainly in the democratic primaries in 2008 and that you -- less of in the general election because everybody was.

Incumbent everybody had been in office.

But you'll see with Ryan certainly.

Democrats try to do with him.

But they couldn't do with Mitt Romney except for his four years in Massachusetts which is poorer for a long record of votes and look for things with which they can cause trouble okay we're gonna take a quick break we're gonna fix everything and when we come back it will be all perfection.

And we will be joined by -- magnificent panel of the Republican and Democrat.

It we're gonna slice and dice this Medicare issue you're going to enjoyed a great deal -- cigarette.

I've proposed.

Reforms that will save Medicare money by getting rid of wasteful spending in the healthcare system.

Reforms that will not touch your Medicare benefits not -- or not.

-- mr.

Romney and his running -- have a very different plant they want to turn Medicare into a voucher program.

What I don't think he'll be telling people.

Is that the president's.

Took 716.

Billion dollars from the Medicare program.

He -- -- to pay for Obama care.

And that is in microcosm the argument.

Going on between the Obama campaign in the Romney campaign over who.

Ended.

Medicare as you know they both say the other guy wants to if they're Democrats and Republicans want to end Medicare as you know what.

The Republicans say it's too late.

The president already ended Medicare issue now let.

And any issue that will continue to be central in this campaign.

Is made.

More interest staying with Paul Ryan's ascension choose who should be vice presidential nominating.

With his plan -- for American workers 55 and under which started to track program if he had his way in which could either keep the traditional Medicare program war.

You could have made that jury system where you'd get a check and -- private insurance to who's got the upper hand on this -- explore this question.

We have we have a seditious two person handle balanced in every way.

Tony -- you love him he's the former Press Secretary.

For the Democratic National Committee you follow him at T dubs because it just sounds cool on Twitter.

And he's a democratic strategist.

And Michelle Celeste.

Internet she's a communications director from gopac's we had her boss frank -- -- here the other day basically they're the recruiting they're the bench builders to recruiting teams for the Republican Party and shall we should point out -- was once affiliated with campaign when Newton LeRoy Gingrich.

So welcome back to the show.

So here's the question and Tony the way it looked at the beginning.

Was that this was pretty cut and dried issue.

Isn't that scorer and Democrats have been talking about this and had some success in the congressional level basically saying.

You want to throw old people off their Medicare.

And that you that would be if they Republicans called -- scare whatever they want college and effective.

But -- and Ryan.

Are trying to turn the tables now and saying whoa wait a minute Mr.

President you already blew up Medicare when you took that money out of it to finance part of your health law.

So you know don't don't.

Blame us but this is two things that one address and I think first what is.

The the very definition that you get and that they begin at fifty.

Right and then exempt everybody and the point here I think is this if it was so great what you're proposing right you just because right now.

Right everybody about it but there's a fear in this and that fear that they -- -- break the is that -- says it is that it is changed that this change drastically so much and that people reject that is that that play to get a 55.

The other things to point out what what cuts under Obama that they -- talking about the 700 million dollar number in the numbers the number of closed Sundays at 716.

Millions of irreverent -- you are not the most people -- to -- resident -- really move forward to right but what most people -- -- talk about what I think it's important point out -- those have to do reimbursements and what we pay hospitals in fact in fact the whole idea behind that is to cover more people see that money he can actually cover more people -- Medicare.

That isn't cutting Medicare that's helping Medicare and here's how -- -- -- back -- up the people who review that says do that president Obama's plans actually extends the life of Medicare for eight years we think that's important.

Now the voucher system wouldn't win.

Objective analysts take a look at that and they made and they say you want about pres Medicare -- -- -- the option about is when you wanna.

Not rights Medicare that begins at what they say that will end up doing is costing people more money because it if you're healthier you want the voucher that might -- -- people in the dust they'll get busy because your benefits aren't -- that what you did.

There was took a minute.

To get through and you made the policy towards its not as simple as it once upon a time was as we think back to Michelle for example -- Social Security.

When George W.

Bush rolled out his Social Security privatization program it was like nuclear bombs were just falling -- it everywhere it was like no we didn't say privatization we met personalization.

And it was a a nuclear waste land as soon as bush tried it and they retreated from it in pretty fast fashion this is at least for you guys are more complicated discussion on entitlements.

Sure but it's once we get through this debate we have an opportunity to tell the truth which is managers -- no that's not true -- -- So we're not gonna have time to tell the truth telling it right here oh.

-- just -- -- be gone in twelve years got first point second is that Ryan's plan so I'm gonna got Medicare it's not radical but he's doing is.

Slowing the president not cutting 700 billion dollars and he's slowing the growth of the -- it's a sustainable program.

In affordable program and it's your for generations to come not just eight years down.

Right now look I'd like -- high minded decent patriotic people go on long enough about policy.

Let's talk about this question of what the heck happens in Broward County Florida.

We -- -- you indulge you -- please indulge my cynicism.

What happens in Broward County Florida when Joseph Biden goes out there it's as you see this 42 year old kid.

That doesn't know anything about what it's like to be worried about your Medicare that he's got his congressional health care you think he cares about jeopardizing your Medicare Tony that's gonna be powerful.

It will end and it you will be here in Broward County in Long Beach and Miami -- And more important perhaps and I've recorder -- and scanning warned that exactly and and other places but it will be.

In the tackle -- -- in fact this is you've got changes I -- I did take a long form to explain you -- -- you that you're we appreciate your mind and then moving on the short form.

But there's a short former one is the rebuttal against the attacks against President Obama.

That the things you say you're against would be exactly the thing the Paul Ryan kept in his budget that Republicans voted for and said.

We're OK with that.

He returned to savings into the Medicare trust fund whereas Obama didn't his want to go paper on -- -- a difference between making cuts and slowing growth and.

And assists and the and the -- in the life -- the and the -- it'll come to Medicare.

Was under Boehner Romney and president Romney and vice president Ryan you like to hear that phrase that could -- I sent you yeah.

Don't.

We would be through the repeal of obamacare because backing people cheaper insurance -- gave them.

Access to primary care that it had before that's under Medicare that's how that -- know how he has -- this opens up an avenue of attack where your team.

Because what you guys figure isn't Chris van Holland has been talking about this great sort of -- it up about how.

As you talk is as Republicans talk about attacking this cut they're actually talking about -- help -- -- Democrats think they might be able to.

Now we're flip flip -- the flip all the way back around to say well actually what we're really doing is defending.

Which -- really doing is attacking the things that people like in the president's health.

Sure one Obama care.

Kicks in January 2014.

There's going to be thirty million new people who have health care plans.

So that means demands a lot higher than so overtime right that it would take time yeah if it was ultimately that effective it would take would have -- today but yet.

-- that would happen.

So you have -- is higher demand it that would outsized supply so doctors are gonna have to then allocate their time and judge who they're gonna take.

And at least thirty million new people it comes to care they're gonna take the people who can pay more it's just how -- market and that's money they and they a lot of them drive Mercedes.

And that doesn't mean people -- Medicare doesn't mean elderly doesn't mean lower income people and Medicaid to those who going to be forced to wait in line longer.

Once obamacare kicks it.

Tony.

Can Republicans tie spending people who polls consistently as a good thing president applause too expensive.

And they -- spending more than cuts if they wanna go after that -- I think we need to time.

What works for them I think spending that the the overall than they do well and they talk about the broad of obamacare brightened when it's -- because that has that name has been named -- the reason people gave to detonate the elements obamacare -- happy -- -- the elements of obamacare have a wonderful it.

People like -- goodies inside people want front children front part right right people want their children to stay on their insurance people bug until -- 25 or 26 years old people want.

To to not be it's not have a maximum lifetime what you've been on and hope that those parts -- -- and -- fighting back and that ultimately.

That we're having Medicaid Medicare -- I think Mitt Romney tells me everything.

By going with a -- he tells me yes this works for President Obama there you go OK guys now -- we thank you very convenient.

High minded though you may be we still appreciate your time.

We have to go we're sorry that we do but we're glad to say that up -- with Jonathan Hunt will be here next I'll get my dad on Twitter machine fixed here eventually and I'll read your -- I'm sure were awesome -- That I missed today and maybe we'll get some maybe a re true read -- some of the best of them.

And now.

We like to do every day we want to leave you with the word from our French -- -- Constitutionally it's an abomination.

Politically it's a stroke of genius.

The star on the policy itself you can argue it either way.

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